Snow causes problems in parts of N.J., has little impact in other areas

Winter made a late arrival across New Jersey this morning, and as much as half a foot of snow could blanket the ground by this afternoon in some parts of the Garden State.

A winter weather advisory is in effect for all but extreme southern parts of the state through this afternoon, with a mixed bag of snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain forecast to affect New Jersey through this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

Conditions, and outlooks, across the state seemed to worsen from south to north.

In many parts of coastal Ocean Counth, residents woke up to a couple of inches of snow on the ground and just a slushy mess on the streets as snow turned to freezing rain.

"Much ado about nothing," said Shirley Davidson, of Bayville, outside a Wawa convenience store on Route 37 in Toms River. "I just didn't like having to be outside longer cleaning off my windows."

Heading north along the Garden State Parkway, however, the rain-snow line seemed to make its mark around the Tinton Falls area and conditions grew more treacherous.

During the 8 a.m. hour, several cars had spun out from along the northbound side of the highway as snow accumulated. At several points, vehicles swerved from lanes in desperate need of a plowing.

The speed limit on the New Jersey Turnpike is 45 mph north of exit 4 and 35 miles per hour between exit 4 and the Delaware Memorial Bridge, according to 511nj.org, the Department of Transportation's traffic website.

A 35 mph speed restriction is in effect at the Goethals, Bayonne and George Washington Bridges as well as the Outerbridge Crossing.

"It's pretty bad out there," said Manny Espinosa, of Edison, who too a safety break along the Cheesequake rest stop in Middlesex County. "It's not a blizzard or anything, but I guess it doesn't take too much snow to make things dangerous."

Mary Ann Schmidt, of Clark, said she wished she waited to go for groceries at her neighborhood ShopRite.

"I was definitely gripping the wheel tighter than I anticipated," she said. "It's a mess out there."

But in downtown Westfield, where action was reduced to only a few
early-morning patrons and lots of snow-shovelers, there was at least one
person happy to finally see some snow.

"I think it looks pretty, said Michael Stewart, of Westfield, outside
the Turning Point restaurant. "I can take a little of this every once in
awhile — as long as we're not digging out of it for days."

The snow is a welcome natural enhancement to the state's ski slopes, according to Bill Benneyan, spokesman for Mountain Creek Ski Resort in Vernon and Crystal Springs Resort in Hardyston. He said the onrush of skiiers and snowboarders is expected later this afternoon and into Sunday.

"Because of modern snowmaking and New Jersey tenacity, we've been open for a month," said Benneyan. "But the natural snow just adds winter flavor - and improves conditions. We can use the boost."

NJ Transit rail and light rail trains are running on or close to schedule as of 9 a.m., said John Durso Jr., the company spokesman. But there are general 20-minute bus delays in both the northern and southern regions due to road conditions. Cross-honoring is in effect across the system.

"We encourage our customers to use caution and good judgment out there," Durso said.
As of 8:30 a.m., only 15 minute delays were reported at Newark Liberty International Airport, as well as at Teterboro, JFK International and La Guardia International airports.
Sgt. Brian Polite of the New Jersey State Police said he was actually hearing of fewer accident reports than an average Saturday morning so far. But with roads getting more slippery with accumulation, he said that wouldn't necessarily last.

"The day is still young," Polite said.

The storm is staying its predicted course and will be winding through the area over most of Saturday, according to Lauren Nash, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's office in Upton, N.Y. Snow will be generally 3 to 5 inches deep in the northeastern section of the state, with isolated patches of about 6 inches, she said.
"Right now it's still on track," Nash said.